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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10

Reanalysis of the Apollo cosmic gamma-ray spectrum in the 0.3 to 10 MeV energy region

Additional data obtained from the Apollo 16 and Apollo 17 missions, together with collateral calculations on background radiation effects, have made possible an improved subtraction of unwanted backgrounds from the diffuse cosmic gamma-ray data previously reported from Apollo 15. As a result, the 1- to 10-MeV spectrum is lowered significantly and connects smoothly with recent data at other energies. The inflection reported previously is much less pronounced and has no more than a 1.5-sigma significance. Sky occultation by the Apollo 16 spacecraft shows the bulk of the 0.3- to 1-MeV radiation to be diffuse. The analysis of spurious backgrounds points to important improvements for future experiments designed for this spectral region.

Trombka, J. I.↗

Reanalysis of the Apollo cosmic gamma-ray spectrum in the 0.3 to 10 MeV energy region

Additional data obtained from the Apollo 16 and 17 missions, together with collateral calculations on background radiation effects, have made possible an improved subtraction of unwanted backgrounds from the diffuse cosmic gamma ray data previously reported from Apollo 15. As a result, the 1 to 10 MeV spectrum is lowered significantly and connects smoothly with recent data at other energies. The inflection reported previously is much less pronounced and has no more than 1.5 sigma significance. Sky occultation by the Apollo 16 spacecraft shows the bulk of the 0.3 to 1 MeV radiation to be diffuse. The analysis of spurious backgrounds points to important improvements for future experiments designed for this spectral region. A light-weight satellite design can give a fourfold improvement in the signal to noise for such a measurement. Use of an anisotropic central crystal, which spins quickly compared with possible time variations in detector background, would enable sensitive limits to be set on galactic plane and point source contributions.

Dyer, C. S.↗

A reanalysis of the HCO(+)/HOC(+) abundance ratio in dense interstellar clouds

New theoretical and experimental results have prompted a reinvestigation of the HCO(+)/HOC(+) abundance ratio in dense interstellar clouds. These results pertain principally but not exclusively to the reaction between HOC(+) and H2, which was previously calculated by DeFrees et al. (1984) to possess a large activation energy barrier. New calculations, reported here, indicate that this activation energy barrier is quite small and may well be zero. In addition, experimental results at higher energy and temperature indicate strongly that the reaction proceeds efficiently at interstellar temperatures. If HOC(+) does indeed react efficiently with H2 in interstellar clouds, the calculated HCO(+)/HOC(+) abundance ratio rises to a substantially greater value under standard dense cloud conditions than is deduced via the tentative observation of HOC(+) in Sgr B2.

Jarrold, M. F.↗

Solar rotation measurements at Mount Wilson. V - Reanalysis of 21 years of data

The procedure for reducing the data acquired during the Mt. Wilson Observatory synoptic program is described, and a program for acquiring as many scans per day as possible of the solar magnetic and velocity fields is discussed. A fitting formula which removes the background velocity field from each scan has been derived. It is suggested that the difference between the limb shift along the north-south axis and the east-west axis may be due to the meridional circulation.

Ulrich, Roger K.↗

A reanalysis of rocket measurements of the ultraviolet dayglow

Rocket measurements of O I 989, 1304, 1356 A and N2 Lyman-Birge-Hopfield band emission in the midlatitude dayglow reported by Gentieu et al. (1979) and Eastes et al. (1985) are reexamined. MSIS-83 atomic oxygen densities, the 1304 and 1356 A excitation cross sections of Zipf and Erdman (1985), and SMM solar 1304 A irradiance measurements are consistent with the observed O I and N2 emission intensities. Atmosphere Explorer E (AE-E) measurements of the solar EUV irradiance near solar maximum are consistent with the 1980 rocket airglow data, but the solar EUV irradiance required to explain the 1978 airglow data is a factor of 1.5 larger than indicated by AE-E. Enhancement of the 1304 A excitation cross section due to radiative entrapment of cascade-feeding photons is much less than the factor of two predicted by the cascade model of Julienne and Davis (1976).

Link, R.↗

Reanalysis of x ray emission from M87 II: Multiphase models

In a previous paper by the authors (hereafter TB), it was shown that the hot intracluster gas around M87 could not be adequately explained in terms of a spherically symmetric, single phase model. It was found that although data from the Einstein satellite High Resolution Imager (HRI), Imaging Proportional Counter (IPC), and Focal Point Crystal Spectrometer (FPCS) could indeed be simultaneously explained by a single phase model, data from the Solid State Spectrometer (SSS) and optically determined mass estimates could not be similarly explained. A qualitative discussion was then given to indicate how the adoption of a specific multiphase model could plausibly improve upon the single phase model, but a detailed discussion was delayed until now. The x ray data is reanalyzed for the gas around M87 in the same spirit as the work in TB. That is, by assuming several cooling flow models, the shortcomings are improved upon. The procedure of TB was adopted and the data reanalyzed in the following manner: a multiphase model is assumed which can compute the surface brightness as seen by HRI and IPC. Also, the line fluxes can be computed of the lines seen by the FPCS and the mass profile after assuming hydrostatic equilibrium. The parameters of the model are then adjusted to fit the data. A check is then made to see whether the resulting model is consistent with the SSS spectrum and the equivalent width of the 7 keV complex of Fe lines as seen by large field of view instruments.

Tsai, John C.↗

A reanalysis of Voyager UVS observations of Titan

Data from the Voyager 1 Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) encounter at Titan were reanalyzed to reveal new spatial and spectral information. The observations, data reduction and spectrum analysis are discussed. The following conclusions were drawn: Titan's airglow is driven by a combination of mechanisms including both EUV deposition and magnetospheric particle precipitation; the emissions are distributed throughout a range of altitudes in the atmosphere; enhanced nightside emissions of the Helium 58.4 nm line may be the result of a thermospheric diurnal temperature variation; the CD2 spectrum, with enhanced Ly(alpha) and N-2 64.5 and 67.0 nm emission, implies that some of the high altitude excitation is due to impact dissociative excitation of N2 by electrons with E greater than 150 eV; the CD2 spectrum is consistent with the existence of a high altitude bright spot in the dayside disk with dimensions from 400 to 900 km.

Hall, D. T.↗

Reanalysis of Mariner 9 UV spectrometer data for ozone, cloud, and dust abundances, and their interaction over climate timescales

Research activities to date are discussed. Selected Mariner 9 UV spectra were obtained. Radiative transfer models were updated and then exercised to simulate spectra. Simulated and observed spectra compare favorably. It is noted that large amounts of ozone are currently not retrieved with reflectance spectroscopy, raising large doubts about earlier published ozone abundances. As these published abundances have been used as a benchmark for all theoretical photochemical models of Mars, this deserves further exploration. Three manuscripts were published, and one is in review. Papers were presented and published at three conferences, and are planned for five more conferences in the next six months. The research plan for the next reporting period is discussed and involves continuing studies of reflectance spectroscopy, further examination of Mariner 9 data, and climate change studies of ozone.

Lindner, Bernhard Lee↗

Overview for the reanalysis of Mariner 9 UV spectrometer data for ozone, cloud, and dust abundances, and their interaction over climate timescales

Mariner 9 UV spectrometer data were reinverted for the ozone abundance, cloud abundance, dust abundance, and polar-cap albedo. The original reduction of the spectra ignored the presence of atmospheric dust and clouds, even though their abundance is substantial and can mask appreciable amounts of ozone if not accounted for (Lindner, 1988). The Mariner 9 ozone data has been used as a benchmark in all theoretical models of atmospheric composition, escape, and photochemistry. A second objective is to examine the data for the interrelationship of the ozone cycle, dust cycle, and cloud cycle, on an annual, inter-annual, and climatic basis, testing predictions by Lindner (1988). This also has implications for many terrestrial ozone studies, such as the ozone hole, acid rain, and ozone-smog. A third objective is to evaluate the efficacy of the reflectance spectroscopy technique at retrieving the ozone abundance on Mars. This would be useful for planning ozone observations on future Mars missions or the terrestrial troposphere.

Lindner, Bernhard Lee↗

Canopy reflectance, photosynthesis, and transpiration. III - A reanalysis using improved leaf models and a new canopy integration scheme

The theoretical analyses of Sellers (1985, 1987), which linked canopy spectral reflectance properties to (unstressed) photosynthetic rates and conductances, are critically reviewed and significant shortcomings are identified. These are addressed in this article principally through the incorporation of a more sophisticated and realistic treatment of leaf physiological processes within a new canopy integration scheme. The results indicate that area-averaged spectral vegetation indices, as obtained from coarse resolution satellite sensors, may give good estimates of the area-integrals of photosynthesis and conductance even for spatially heterogenous (though physiologically uniform) vegetation covers.

Sellers, P. J.↗

Reanalysis of Mariner 9 UV Spectrometer Data for Ozone, Cloud, and Dust Abundances, and Their Interaction Over Climate Timescales

Mariner 9 UV spectrometer data have been reinverted for the ozone abundance. The spectra were fit by models which covered the full range in observed solar zenith angle, cloud, dust and ozone amount, ice albedo and look angles. Errors in ozone retrieval with this data are tabulated over a range in theses conditions and are shown graphically. This work shows that significant underestimation of ozone occurred in earlier analysis of Mariner 9 data, and that much of the observed variability in Mars ozone is due to masking of ozone by clouds and dust. An in-situ measurement by balloon is recommended as it is the only technique capable of accurately inferring the ozone abundance in all conditions. Recommendations for future research are also presented. 7 manuscripts have been published in refereed journals, and three are in review. A review of these publications and presentations is in the report.

Lindner, Bernhard Lee↗

Reanalysis of X-ray emission from M87. 1: The single-phase medium

We reanalyze the density and temperature profiles of the X-ray-emitting gas around M87, assuming a spherically symmetric, single-phase model. For given assumed density and temperature profiles, we predict Einstein High Resolution Imager (HRI) and Imaging Proportional Counter (IPC) surface brightness distribution as well as Focal Point Crystal Spectrometer (FPCS) line fluxes, which we compare with the data. We find that a good fit to these data can be obtained and that, with a suitable adjustment of the abundances, the equivalent width of the iron complex at 7 keV as observed by wide-beam instruments can also be explained. In contrast to this, the Einstein Solid State Spectrometer (SSS) spectrum and optically determined mass profiles cannot be accounted for simultaneously with the previous X-ray data. We show that the disagreement of the Solid State Spectrometer with our models is due to an inconsistency of the Solid State Spectrometer data with that of the other X-ray instruments. Because of this, we find no evidence for the existence of absorption above the Galactic value, contrary to an earlier claim based on Solid State Spectrometer data. The disagreement of our models with optical mass data is due either to the assumption of a single-phase model, thus rendering the model unacceptable, or possibly to maximal systematic errors in the FPCS data. We also show that thermal conduction at the Spitzer rate is important in our models, although this conclusion is of limited importance in view of the poor fit of our models to the data.

Tsai, John C.↗

Reanalysis of X-ray emission from M87. 2: The multiphase medium

In a previous paper, we showed that a single-phase model for the gas around M87 simultaneously explained most available X-ray data. Total enclosed masses derived from the model, however, fell well below the determinations from optical measurements. In this paper, we consider possible solutions to the inconsistency, including two multiphase medium models for the gas and the consequences of systematic errors of the Einstein Focal Point Crystal Spectrometer (FPCS). First, we find that when constraints from optical mass determinations are not considered, the best-fit model to the X-ray data is always the single-phase model. Multiphase models or consideration of FPCS systematic errors are required only when optical mass constraints are included. We find that the cooling time model of White & Sarazin adequately explains the available X-ray data and predicts total masses which agree with optical measurements. An ad hoc power-law multiphase does not. This shows both that the existence of mass dropping out of the ambient phase is consistent with the data and that the cooling-time model gives a reasonable parameterization of the dropout rate. Our derived mass accretion rate is similar to previous determinations. The implications of this result for cluster mass determinations in general are discussed. We then consider 'self absorbing' models where we assume that material dropping out of the ambient medium goes completely into X-ray absorbing gas. The resulting internal absorption is small compared to Galactic absorption at most radii. The models are therefore indistinguishable from models with only Galactic absorption. We finally show that it is alternatively possible to simultaneously fit optical mass measurements and X-ray data with a single-phase model if some of the observed FPCS line fluxes are too high by the maximum systematic error. This possiblity can be checked with new data from satellites such as ASCA.

Tsai, John C.↗

A reanalysis of the SWP-HI IUE observations of Capella

We have reanalyzed the numerous high-resolution, far-ultraviolet observations of Capella made by the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) in its 16 yr lifetime. Our purpose was to search for long-term profile variations in Capella's ultraviolet emission lines and to complement the analysis of Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) observations of Capella, discussed in a companion paper (Linsky et al. 1995). We implemented a state-of-the-art photometric correction and spectral extraction procedure to improve S/N and control potential sources for systematic errors. Nevertheless, we were unable to find compelling evidence for any significant long-term profile variations. Previous work has shown that the G8 primary star is only a minor contributor to the high-excitation transition region lines but is a significant contributor to the low-excitation chromospheric lines. We have found exceptions to this rule, however. We find that the G8 star is responsible for a significant portion of Capella's N V lambda lambda 1239, 1243 emission, but is not a large contributor to the S I lambda 1296, Cl I lambda 1352, and O lambda 1356 lines. We suggest possible explanations for these behaviors. We also find evidence that the He II lambda 1640 emission from the G1 star is from the transition region, while the He II lambda 1640 emission from the G8 star is chromospheric, consistent with the findings of Linsky et al. (1994). The C II lambda 1336 line shows a weak central reversal. It is blueshifted by about 9 km/s with respect to the centroid of the emission from the G1 star. While the central reversal of the C II line is blueshifted by about 9 km/s with respect to the centroid of the emission from the G1 star. While the central reversal of the C II line is blueshifted, the central reversal of the Si III lambda 1207 line discussed by Linsky et al. (1994) is not.

Wood, Brian E.↗

Reanalysis of Clementine Bistatic Radar Data from the Lunar South Pole

On 9 April 1994 the Clementine spacecraft high-gain antenna was aimed toward the Moon's surface and the resulting 13-cm wavelength radio echoes were received on Earth. Using these data, we have found that the lunar surface generally follows a Lambertian bistatic scattering function sigma(sub 0) = K(sub D)cos(theta(sub i) with K(sub D) approx. 0.003 for the opposite (expected) sense of circular polarization and K(sub D) approx. 0.001 for the same (unexpected) sense. But there are important deviations-of up to 50% in some parts of the echo spectrum-from this simple form. Based on an earlier analysis of these same data, Nozette et al. claimed detection of an enhancement in echoes with right circular polarization from regions near the South Pole in a near-backscatter geometry. Such behavior would be consistent with presence of perhaps large quantities of water ice near the Pole. We have been unable to reproduce that result. Although we find weak suggestions of enhanced echoes at the time of South Pole backscatter, similar features are present at earlier and later times, adjacent frequencies, and in left circular polarization. If enhanced backscatter is present, it is not unique to the South Pole; if not unique to the Pole, then ice is less likely as an explanation for the enhancement.

Simpson, Richard A.↗

Variations in Atmospheric Water Vapor as Seen in Satellite Data and Model Reanalysis Fields

New data sets used to describe components of the hydrologic and energy cycles of the Earth system are currently being produced and disseminated through the NASA EOS DAACs and several data assimilation centers supported by such organizations as NASA and NOAA. These data sets incorporate hybrid data analysis schemes and portray satellite and radiosonde data combined in a diagnostic sense and in a forecast mode. There is a need to develop a better understanding of the accuracy and utility of these global, relatively long-term, datasets to describe components of the hydrologic cycle and to understand atmospheric moisture variability and its relation to climatological significant events Much progress has been made in the last ten years in the development of global atmospheric models and analysis of satellite data for global studies. The atmospheric models have improved in their ability to predict both short term and longer term weather events. This has been possible through better understanding of atmosphere dynamics and very rapid advances in computer technology. Over the same period, data assimilation methods have advanced and unconventional data sources such as aircraft and satellite data, drifting buoys, etc., can be assimilated at non-synaptic times. As a result of these improvements, comprehensive global atmospheric fields based on four-dimensional data assimilation methods now provide one of the most reliable methods for studying dynamical and physical behavior in the atmosphere.

Jedlovec, Gary J.↗